Luton Town are lining up a move for an experienced EFL defender, as Jack Wilshere’s side look to bounce back following a heavy defeat to Mansfield Town on Sunday.
The Hatters suffered a 5-2 loss to Mansfield, having to rely on two goals from Nahki Wells to make the scoreline more respectable, in a result that has left the club in 13th place after, what was their first league defeat of the campaign.
Similarly, the future of defender Teden Mengi remains uncertain – with the 24-year-old yet to feature this season and has been granted permission to hold talks ahead of an exit, with just 12 months left on his contract at Kenilworth Road.
Therefore, this has led the club in need of another defender before the transfer window comes to an end.
Luton Town eye swoop for experienced defender
With the awareness that the club could lose a centre-back before Tuesday’s deadline, Luton appear to be in the market for a replacement of their own.
Luton have been busy in the transfer market thus far, securing the likes of Callum Marshall, Kasey Palmer and Jamie Donley – though the majority of their business has been attack-heavy, suggesting there’s room for late defensive focus.
According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Luton Town are lining up a late move for Wigan Athletic defender Morgan Fox, but face competition from fellow League One side MK Dons.
The 32-year-old joined Wigan last year on a free transfer, playing an important role in their survival but was omitted from their squad for Sunday’s defeat to AFC Wimbledon, continuing to fuel speculation linking him with an exit before the transfer window closes.
Fox featured 39 times across all competitions for Wigan last season, contributing to three goals and can operate as either a centre-back or left-back if required.
Similarly, Fox has already featured three times this campaign, starting in two of them but is set to be made available for exit.
What difference could this move have on Luton’s season?
Luton conceding five goals on Sunday highlights that defensively, Wilshere and his team are still a distance away from where they likely want to be and the addition of another proven centre-back could play a key role in edging them closer to a Championship return.
Prior to his move to Wigan Athletic in the Summer of 2025, Fox had spent almost the entirety of his career in the Championship, impressing for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday and Stoke City – making over 150 appearances across all competitions and has taken the captains armband on more than a handful of occasions.
His level of quality and experience would ensure that Luton have a proven defensive leader to call upon this season, as Wilshere’s side aim to seal a return to the Championship and build upon their EFL Trophy triumph last season.
Unlike Fox, Mengi has featured in the Premier League but is yet to play a minute of football this season. If he were to move on this summer, it would prevent Luton from losing him on a free transfer in the months to come, whilst allowing a proven leader to link up with the League One side over the coming months.
Luton would need to beat MK Dons to sign the 32-year-old, with the latter already securing several big names as they aim to solidify their place in League One following their promotion last season.